27 February, 2015

BIG CAT Report - Samburu Intrepids Camp

At 4pm recently, we arrived at the Daraja bridge on the Ewaso Nyiro River in the heart of the Samburu National Reserve. It is the elephants’ main crossing area. There were no herbivores around and I slowed down to look for tracks of animals. 

There were lots of tracks leading away from the river - zebras, oryx and impalas all running in the same direction.   

I had no doubt that the lions were close. I drove along the river and immediately saw Nanai and Nabulu, the two lionesses with their five cubs lying by the river waiting for the prey.   

Back at the camp, I received more news that more lions were sighted with a kill. It was of a Grevy’s zebra. 

 Sebastian our driver-guide explained that Lguret, the dominant lion collaborated with Nachupai, one of the oldest females in the reserve to kill a young Grevy’s zebra. It took them less than three hours to devour the zebra. 

After the feast, Lguret took refuge under a shade while Nachupai lay by the carcass to protect it from vultures.

       
Report and pictures by Steve Tilas – Head Safari Guide, Samburu Intrepids Camps.
©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya. http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/

23 February, 2015

MARA INTREPIDS CAMP ANIMAL SIGHTINGS - 15th February 2015

Weather   

It’s very hot. The sun is blazing during the day forcing animals to look for shade.   

Temperature   

19c morning  
29c at midday  
26c after sunset    

LOITA WILDEBEEST AND ZEBRAS MIGRATION (DOMESTIC)   

Following the rain in December 2014, the local wildebeest and zebras migrated out of the Mara reserve to go up north and east. Without these grazers, the Mara was covered in grass.   It is dry again and the wildebeest and zebras are back to graze in the Mara until the rains start. Then they will migrate out again to their respective calving grounds in the Aitong and Loita plains.   A few herds of zebra have ventured west to Paradise plains and another group has crossed Talek River towards Posse plain. At the moment, pressure is mounting up at Double-Crossing north of Mara Intrepids Camp, heading towards the Olkiombo airstrip.   It is a relief for the lions to have the big herds of grazers, especially for those with cubs.

   

OTHER INTRESTING SIGHTINGS AROUND MARA INTREPIDS CAMP.   
  
The resident serval cat is around.

 

Predators  

Lions  

Double Cross Pride   

The lionesses in the pride are in a dilemma, not knowing which males to please. Some lionesses are interested in mating with the M7 while others are on the run with their cubs avoiding Mohican and Romeo2. Barnoti and Oloolpapit are interested in the same pride. Mohican and Romeo2 are trapped in the middle of Intiakitiak and Olare Orok rivers with no females.   Seven individuals are between Olkiombo airstrip and Double-Crossing. Two lionesses and seven cubs are between Olare Orok and Intiakitiak Rivers and there are no males with these families.

   

Ridge Pride   

With twelve cubs and seven lionesses, the pride is with Blacky and Lipstick. The pride has been on the move looking for prey. First they crossed Mara River to the Triangle in the west. There was no prey there.   The pride is now near Smelly Crossing and along the ridge where the zebras and wildebeest are.

 

Paradise Pride   

The musketeers were recently seen mating with one of the Paradise lioness. The pride has re-grouped again with fifteen members - six cubs with six lionesses and three males. They were all in bad shape, hungry.   

Olkeju Ronkai Pride   

The pride is still in different groupings. Three of Notch’s sons are with them at Olkeju Ronkai.

   

Ol Kiombo Pride   

The pride of three males, seven cubs and six lionesses has returned to Olkiombo plain. The M7 are also interested in the pride.   

Leopards   

Siri and her male cub named Kijana are at Shamarta, giving us good leopard sightings west of Mara Intrepids Camp along the Mara River at the rocky hills.



Cheetahs   

Following the mini migration, cheetah sightings are good north of Mara Intrepids Camp and Mara Explorer. Malaika is at Double-Crossing and the two brothers are along Intiakitiak River hunting sub-adult wildebeest.    

Report and pictures by John Parmasau – Head Safari Guide, Mara Intrepids and Mara Explorer Camps.
©Heritage Hotels Ltd, Kenya. http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/